“It means death!” was his thought, as they sank still more swiftly. “Poor Inza! We will die together!”
CHAPTER XI—THE STRUGGLE FOR LIFE
It was growing dark down there beneath the waves. The golden sunlight had turned to a bluish gloom that lay dense beneath the boy and girl, who were slowly sinking into that mysterious region.
Those dark depths were suggestive of rest and peace. They seemed most inviting and alluring to the lad who was wearied and exhausted by his struggles to save the girl who was so dear to him.
Frank felt like ceasing to struggle—like giving over all effort and floating gently down into those cool depths, where he could rest.
Inza was with him, and they would rest down there together, still locked in each other’s arms.
To his mind came a picture of them as they would look in the cool blue shadows, undisturbed by anything that was occurring in all the wide, wide world. He saw their pale faces and their closed eyes, and he fancied Inza’s dark hair floating gently at the soft throb of the ocean. Oh, it was sweet as a dream!
Then he seemed to see the fishes that would come to look at them with wonder. He saw the fishes swimming about, darting over them and playing around the spot where they rested.
Then came another and a horrible thought.
The fishes would nibble at their flesh—would feast off their bodies. Inza’s beautiful face would be disfigured.